REAL ES TAT E Homes, Farms, Lots, Lake Property and Acreage BUYER’S MARKETPLACE FOR McLEOD, MEEKER, RENVILLE, SIBLEY AND WRIGHT COUNTIES MAY 2022 • FREE
Published monthly by the Hutchinson Leader and Litchfield Independent Review
FIND THE PERFECT HOME
THE LATEST PROPERTY LISTINGS
A NEW GUIDE EVERY MONTH
REAL ESTATE GUIDE TE REAL ES TA
s, Lots, Homes, Farm and Acreage Lake Property D, MEEKER, LEO Mc R FO RKETPLACE UNTIES BUYER’S MA WRIGHT CO D AN LEY RENVILLE, SIB EE • FREE FR • FREE
Guide
Pick up your FREE Real Estate Guide, a wonderful local real estate resource, at the following locations*:
Glencoe Chamber of Commerce MidCountry Bank RE/MAX Homes
GROVE CITY Schmidty’s
HECTOR Cenex Convenience Store Frandsen Bank & Trust Pete’s Grill
son the Hutchin monthly by Review Published ependent Litchfield Ind Leader and
FIND THE ME PERFECT HO
THE LATEST LISTINGS PROPERTY
BROWNTON Security Bank & Trust
BUFFALO LAKE CenBank
COKATO Cenex Convenience Store Jack’s The Marketplace
COSMOS Casey’s General Store
DASSEL Casey’s General Store
EDEN VALLEY Jack’s
GLENCOE Bump’s CorTrust Bank
MidCountry Bank Premier Real Estate RE/MAX Results Shamrock Inn Super America - East Super America - West TDK The Treasure Shed Walgreens Wells Fargo Bank
LESTER PRAIRIE
IDE A NEW GU NTH EVERY MO
Casey’s General Store
HUTCHINSON Casey’s General Store Cash Wise Foods Citizens Bank & Trust Co/ North Citizens Bank & Trust Co/ South Country Kitchen Days Inn/ Victorian Conference Center Dunn Brothers Edina Realty: Hutchinson Fairway Indepedent Mortgage Corp. CorTrust Bank Holiday Stationstore Home State Bank Hometown Realty Hutch Café Hutch Co-op Cenex - West Hutch Co-op Cenex - South Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce Hutchinson Leader Hutchinson Mall Keller Williams-Integrity NW King’s Wok Kwik Trip Mc Leod County Abstract Services McLeod Co. Abstract Services
LITCHFIELD Cenex Convenience Store Center Bank Econo Foods Holiday Stationstore Home State Bank Kings Wok Litchfield Independent Review MidCountry Bank Branch & ATM RE/MAX Today’s Properties Super America
STEWART CorTrust Bank
WATKINS Jack’s
WINSTED Glenn’s Super Valu
WINTHROP Country C Store
*Availability may vary.
To advertise Hutchinson Leader: 320-753-3635 Litchfield Independent Review: 693-3266 2
Advertiser Meeker County
LITCHFIELD
Independent Review
Shopper WEEKEND LEADER
Hometown Realty, Inc. 130 Washington Avenue East Hutchinson, MN 55350 Visit our website & Hutchinson’s Hometown Blog www.hometownmn.com info@hometownmn.com
320-587-6115
Find us on
TWINHOME
NEW CONSTRUCTION
in NW Hutchinson features fireplace in living room, vaulted ceilings, 4 season room, main floor laundry, master BA & LL family room. Ins. double att. garage. Deck overlooking lot w/mature trees. No association dues. $299,900.
in SW Hutchinson features 5 BR, large master suite w/walk in closet & custom tile BA, 9’ ceilings on m.f., LL family room, 3 panel doors & kitchen w/stainless steel appliances & stone counters. Oversized ins. double att. garage. Large deck overlooking pond. $489,900.
HARD TO FIND
NEW CONSTRUCTION
building site that includes a 50x104 shed built in 2018. This wooded 5.38 acres is ready to build on. Great storage or future shop. $199,900.
patio home in NW Hutchinson features center isl. kitchen, owners suite w/BA & walk in closet & 4 season porch w/door to patio. In floor heat throughout. Ins., sheetrocked double att. garage. Large corner lot. Ready to move into! $299,900.
WONDERFUL COUNTRY
CLASSIC 2 STORY
property just north of Hutchinson on 19.2 ac. w/4 BR walkout rambler & 48x75 shed. Knotty Alder woodwork, center isl. kitchen w/granite counters, 4 season porch, gas burning fireplaces & m.f. laundry. Double att. garage is ins. & htd. Shed w/two 14x16 overhead doors, 1/2 BA, concrete floor & floor drain. Enjoy view from front porch, deck & paver patio. $774,900.
home w/character! Beautiful wood floors & original woodwork, custom built in cabinets & stained glass windows. Dining room w/French doors to 3 season porch. 3 upper level BRs, walk up attic storage. LL w/family room & egress window. Oversized 2+ det. garage paved alley access, paver walks, concrete curbing, large deck, 2 addt’l porches. Within walking distance to downtown. $299,900
GREAT DOWNTOWN
SW HUTCHINSON raised rambler home situated on a beautifully landscaped lot w/perennials & trees. Open concept main level w/vaulted ceiling & Maple floors, large foyer w/closet, kitchen w/granite center isl. dinning area w/door to maintenance free deck, gas fireplace in living room, owner’s suite w/large tiled walk in shower. LL has family room w/gas fireplace, BR, full BA & large storage room. Oversized ins. 2 car att. garage. $324,900
investment property. Main floor is currently a styling salon & 2nd level is a 2 BR apartment. Double det. garage. Well cared for property. $169,900.
C
M OM
IA ERC
L
Buy your new lot & build your dream home! JUST OUTSIDE of Hutchinson is this 1.04 acre lot. Open to any builder. ............................................................................................. $39,900 LOCATED ON HWY. 22 in New Auburn. Four parcels total. ...................................................................................................................... $50,000 PRIME DEVELOPMENT opportunity in SW Hutchinson! Existing proposed plan filed w/City includes approx. 68 lots to be platted. Close to schools, walking trails, & shopping. ............................................................................................................................... $675,000 LAKE WILLIE RETREAT! Build your dream home on the rolling bluffs of Lake Willie, about 1hr from west metro! This 56 acres parcel has it all - over 2000’ lake frontage, mature trees, prime hunting & fishing, good mix of pasture & tillable acres, off a tar road. Must see. ................................................................................................................................................................................................... $1,500,000 WEST OF HUTCHINSON is this approx. 115 acres. The Crow River runs through this property that features hunting land & gravel pits. 3 building entitlements included w/options to sell. ............................................................................................................. $799,900 WOODED LOT just North of Hutchinson. 1+ acre lot. Open to any builder. ......................................................................................... $39,900 LOCATE your business on Approx. 200’ on Hwy. 7 West in Hutchinson. ...............................................................................................$159,900
No One Knows Hutchinson Real Estate Better Serving Our Hometown Since 1985 Cheryl Dooley
Jeff Nohner
Diane Kobernusz
John Paulsen
Matt Pulkrabek
Sheila Richter
Ryan Lickfelt
Diane Sorensen
Traci Atkinson
Mark Corbin
Jim Rogers
587-6115
583-9289
583-8547
582-0387
583-0188
583-3870
224-7355
583-8802
260-0328
552-3842
552-3047
Hometown Realty, Inc. • 320-587-6115 3
Hints for Homeowners TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL SELF-MOVE (MS) - Few things in life are more arduous and exhausting than moving. While moving into a new home can be exciting, the process of moving is rarely enjoyable. Such is the reason many people turn to moving companies when it comes time to change addresses. However, moving companies are an added expense and not right for everyone. Many people choose to selfmove to save some money. The process of self-moving can be intimidating, particularly for people whose move will take more than one day. Anticipating problems beforehand is often a great way to ensure the move goes off smoothly and with as little stress as possible. • Truck rental: When selfmoving, many people find themselves in a race against time to get everything packed onto and then off the truck so they can return the truck in time and avoid what is often hefty late fees. Such a race only adds more stress to an already draining day. Particularly for people whose move will be more than one
day, inquire about how much it will cost to keep the truck an extra day. This will eliminate the stress of getting everything done by a set time. • Cover your valuables: When self-moving for the first time, many people don’t realize just how dirty most rental trucks are. Plan on covering up nice furniture or other valuable items beforehand, it can protect your valuables from marks or scratches. With respect to cleanliness, expect the rental truck to be dusty and protect your valuable items accordingly. • Load the heavy items at the front of the truck: The “front” of the truck is the wall closet to the truck’s cab. Load the heaviest items, such as dressers, tables and furniture, on first. When packed tightly against the wall, these items won’t move around once you start driving. Certain items, such as couches and mattresses, should be turned on end so they take up less space. A good tip is to put a mattress between large wood pieces to protect them from banging. 4
• Don’t be a hero: At times, you might be tempted to lift certain items by yourself in the hopes of trimming some time from the move. However, moving is a marathon, not a track meet, and you don’t want to waste energy that you’ll need down the road or hurt yourself. Heavier items should always be loaded and unloaded by a minimum of two people. • Mark it: To make unpacking your items go smooth, mark each box with the contents and the room it should go to in your new home. • Lock it up: While moving trucks come with a lever that keeps the door shut, these levers aren’t locks. Anyone moving overnight should purchase a padlock to put on the truck to protect themselves from theft while they sleep. • Don’t forget entertainment: Oftentimes, a moving truck has the most basic of radios, with no cassette or CD player and sometimes only AM radio. Anyone whose move is a considerable distance should bring along a radio with a CD player to help combat the boredom.
For All Your Real Estate Needs www.sabacky.com
DEAN SABACKY E-mail: deansabacky@gmail.com Web Site: www.sabacky.com
320-224-5676 Toll Free Direct 888-339-0705 Mobile
THINKING OF MOVING? Would you consider selling, but don’t know where you’d go? Call Dean for the info you need regarding the market & your options!
Hobby Farms and Lake Properties are Coming on the Market Soon. *To be one of the first notified, CALL ME NOW with what you are looking for.
D L O S D L SO 1395 Southfork Street SE Hutchinson
Riverfront walkout lot. Quiet street, between upscale homes. On the Crow River. Very nice building site on one of the few lots left available in Hutchinson = don’t wait... Open to any builder. Only $60,000.
1377 Southfork Drive SE, Hutchinson
Riverfront walkout lot / building site. Located on a quiet street on the Crow River. One of the few waterfront lots left available in Hutchinson...Open to any licensed builder. Call Dean 320-224-5676.
5
For All Your Real Estate Needs www.sabacky.com
For All Your Real Estate Needs www.sabacky.com
ALWAYS CALL
Hints for Homeowners A FAMILIAR HOME LOAN BECOMES POPULAR AGAIN (NAPS)—A growing number of home buyers are showing renewed interest in a type of mortgage that, some say, has been overlooked in recent years. For many home buyers and real estate agents, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan has started to reclaim its status as an affordable loan. Plus, it now comes with less red tape and more buyer friendly features than in the past. It’s important to note that FHA does not make loans. Rather, it insures loans made by private lenders. Some say this type of loan— along with companion Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loans—deserve to be back on consumer and Realtor radar screens. And for good reason, said Allen Jones, government lending executive for Bank
of America. According to Jones, “These loans are safe, sound, easier to use and more buyer- and refinance- friendly than ever, particularly for first-time buyers who might not otherwise be able to afford substantial down payments.” Federal Housing Administration loans require a lower down payment—about 6 percent— than other types of loans. However, until recently, some buyers and real estate agents avoided loans such as these. That’s because the loans had what many considered rigid appraisal requirements, inflexible closing terms with sellers, and bureaucratic steps that some found confusing. Fortunately, those pitfalls have recently been amended by administrative changes. As a 6
result, these loans have emerged as the loan of choice for many consumers. Also on the upside: There are no prepayment penalties and the loans are assumable—features considered desirable by many buyers. The loans have retained requirement for full documentation to support the borrower’s ability to repay the loan. Said Jones, “At this point, FHA is considered by many to be the best source of prime rate and low-down-payment financing for many first-time home buyers and borrowers with any credit issues.” And there’s icing on the cake: Higher loan limits open the loans to even more borrowers. Because these loans are prime, they tend to be viewed positively by both the lender and real estate communities alike.
Front: Joyce, Juli & Betty • Back: Justin, Scott & Charlie
BUNDLE IT TODAY FOR A CARE-FREE TOMORROW When you bundle your home and auto insurance with a Grinnell Mutual agent, you’ll have peace of mind knowing we’re with you if a good day turns bad — whether you’re in the kitchen or on the road. Trust in Tomorrow.® Contact us today.
Call us at (320) 587-2674 “Trust in Tomorrow.” and “Grinnell Mutual” are registered trademarks of Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company. © Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company, 2022. 7
Hints for Homeowners SEVEN TIPS FOR FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS (NAPS) — If you’ve ever thought about owning a home, now may be the time to take action. Lower interest rates combined with a large inventory of homes in most markets across the U.S. may translate into a good opportunity for buyers. The home buying process may seem daunting to someone who has never purchased a home before. But through home buying educational seminars offered in your community, and with the assistance of an experienced loan officer, a first-time homebuyer can obtain a better understanding of financing options, leading to a more positive home buying experience. “Whether you’ve been dreaming of owning a home for years or you’ve just decided it would be a smart financial move to make, your first home buying experience will be a memorable one,” says Jim Ferriter, executive vice president for GMAC Mortgage. “It’s important to learn about your financing options in order to find the mortgage that’s right for you.” Ferriter offers the following tips for firsttime home buyers: 1. Educate Yourself About the Mortgage Process—By taking the initiative and learning about the mortgage process, you can be more confident in the financial decisions you are making. It’s important to learn about different types of mortgages, how much you can afford, how your credit impacts your interest rate and the benefits of home ownership.
2. Save Just a Little Bit More—It’s not only important to save money for the down payment and closing costs, but it’s important to factor in some of the other costs of home ownership such as decorating, repairs and maintenance. Many mortgage lenders recommend that first time home buyers have at least three to six months of additional savings in their possession in anticipation of these additional expenses. 3.Check Your Credit—An individual’s credit score will have a significant impact on his or her mortgage loan approval and interest rate. A good first step in financing a home purchase is to check your credit history. You can request a free credit report from any of the three credit-reporting bureaus: Equifax, TransUnion or Experian. Carefully review your report and contact the credit-reporting bureaus to correct any inaccuracies. 4. Shop Around for a Mortgage Lender— As you start thinking about and preparing for the home buying process, start shopping for the mortgage lender from whom you would like to obtain a mortgage for your new home. Because this process is new, it’s easy to go with the first lender or loan officer you meet. Instead, take your time and shop around. Start by asking friends, coworkers and family members for recommendations. In addition to pricing (interest rate and closing costs), focus on customer service as well as other services and tools that a mortgage lender may be able to offer you. 5.Get Pre-approved—Before you start working with a real estate agent, consider
8
contacting a mortgage lender to obtain a pre-approval credit decision. A loan officer will review your financial status, including your income, cash flow and credit score, to help you determine the maximum monthly housing payment for which you may be able to qualify, and, if qualified, “pre-approve” your mortgage before you’ve found a home. Armed with a credit pre-approval, you can start searching for homes with a much better idea of your price range, and in turn save time as you will know the right homes to focus on. Obtaining a pre-approval may offer more confidence and certainty to home sellers in your ability to purchase the home. 6.Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions— Once you’ve found your new home, the mortgage lender will help you through the details of the loan process. From application to closing, your loan officer will work through the financing process with you, just as your real estate professional should do in the home buying process. Throughout the process, read all loan documents carefully and involve an attorney, if necessary. 7.Inspect—Before you commit to purchasing a home, don’t forget to do a thorough once over of the property. Look for any maintenance problems that you may want to address in a purchase agreement. Some people may want to hire a licensed home inspector to conduct a thorough assessment of the property. For more information about the process for buying your first home, contact an experienced loan officer.
Where Your Stories Continue…. …a New Active Living Community by Woodstone Senior Living • 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments • In-Apartment Laundry • Movie Theatre • Pub/Game Room Area • Outdoor Social Area • Health and Wellness Center • Outdoor Activities • Dining Room (Continental Breakfast Included) • Scheduled Activities including Bus Tours, Kayaking, Biking, Golf, Crafts, Aquatic Center, Sporting Events & More
Call today for your personal tour! 955 Cleveland Ave. SW, Hutchinson
320.234.8917 woodstoneseniorliving.com 9
Hints for Homeowners 25 FAST WAYS TO TRANSFORM A ROOM
(MS) - Homeowners looking for ways to brighten up the look of their homes with fast do-it-yourself enhancements can find the answer to their decorating needs with durable urethane millwork pieces. The lightweight pieces are easy to install and ideal for quick upgrade projects in every room of the home. The experts offer these how-to ideas for fast results: 1. Surround an interior room divider with pilasters and a crosshead to make transitioning from one room to another a unique experience. 2. Add a two-piece ceiling medallion around the top of a light fixture or ceiling fan in less than 10 minutes. Interlocking pieces snap together quickly for fast results. 3. Upgrade your dining room by adding chair rail moulding about a third of the way up the wall and encircling the room. Paint or wallpaper below or above the rail to give the room a more elegant feeling. 4. Install corbels to the top of cabinets to present a more finished look in your kitchen or bathroom. 5. Jazz up your windows by adding stylized door/window head crossette trim to surround a window. Bump-out texture and design at the top of the window of this no-miter project makes the results outstanding. 6. Block it up...with plinth blocks. To surround a window, make straight blocks in the corners. No mitering and your window has a new frame surround in less than 15 minutes. 7. Add depth to your interior windows by placing window panels beneath a window sill. Add moulding around the panel and the entire window for eye-popping results! 8. Make a fast towel rack by drilling holes into the center of two brackets. Insert a painted dowel and you have and instant way to hang towels! 9. Faux finish decorative crown moulding and add to the top of a room to draw attention higher in the room. 10. Look up and trim down. Create vertical 3-D “stripes” on a bedroom wall using flat trim mouldings. Paint different colors between the strips or keep the entire room one color with a contrasting moulding stripe! 11. Upgrade the look of a boring kitchen island by adding decorative brackets or corbels as accent pieces. 12. Replace a worn-out handrail or banister in the home with mouldings or flat trim. Add decorative brackets or corbels beneath the new
10
rail at regular intervals for a classy look. 13. Arrange a collage of ceiling medallions on a wall for a decorative feature. Faux finish, paint and stain the medallions in a variety of unique colors. 14. Add a one-piece fireplace mantel surround to an existing fireplace or create a Faux fireplace area using these durable accent pieces. 15. Break up a full mirror wall in a bedroom by adding straight lengths of moulding in interesting patterns. The mouldings will create a visual impact in the room. 16. Add a keystone to the top of any interior room door to give an elegant look to the room. 17. Use a window crosshead for a fast and easy shelf. 18. Flank the window opening between two rooms (like a kitchen and family room) with a pair of urethane shutters. The lightweight shutters can be stained or painted to accent the walls. 19. Place brightly-painted triangular, rectangle, circle and other geometric trim pieces on the walls in a child’s room to create a bold, visual look. 20. Install raised window panels side-byside on the wall in a room to create a unique wainscot look. 21. Add a scalloped moulding border to a child’s room to launch into a princess or medieval theme for the room. 22. Accent a cherished collection of Art Deco paintings or artwork with deco mouldings around a room in bold geometric fashions. 23. Use crosshatch or square decorative panels made out of lightweight urethane to serve as see-through room dividers or “gates” to keep toys, pets and children separated from expensive knick-knacks. 24. Since the pineapple is the universal sign of hospitality, add a decorative halfround or full round pineapple accent piece in the entry way to your home. 25. Create a design for a backsplash using urethane applique tiles. Decorative and resistant to moisture, these 17-inch squares offer lots of detail and can be painted or faux finished. Visit www.fypon.com for other creative ideas and to view an on-line catalog of more than 6,000 moulded millwork products.
Hutchinson is a great place to live, enjoy great shops, great people and great job opportunities. I’m grateful to live here and want to help my community and you!
With interest rates on the rise, now is the time to list or purchase that home of your dreams! Act now and make your move in time for summer fun!
G N I
LAKE MARION
D L O S
326 School Rd. SW, Hutchinson 3 bedroom townhouse with lovely water view. Only $275,000.
NEW
D N PE
11548 Sunset Circle, Hutchinson Lake Marion, Gorgeous 3 bedroom, 2 bath lake home. Open floor plan, oversized 2 car garage, new roof & gutters in 2018, newer appliances. $387,000.
8489 187th Ave. NE, New London Excellent 4 bedroom, 2 bath home close to town, yet far enough out to see the Wildlife. Updated in 2016 w/ mf addition w/Bamboo flooring, mf master bedroom, bath & living room. Decks and 3 season porch. 1 car garage w/insulated shop w/heat & storage. $297,000.
Serving McLeod, Meeker & Kandiyohi Counties
Call Jenna Vikse Realtor
941.400.6343
jennavikserealestate.com jennavikse21@gmail.com 11
s ’ r e d i s n I e Th l a c o L o t e Guid
REAL ESTATE REAL
Guide ES TAT E Home s, Far m Lake BUYE Prope s, Lots, R’S M rty an A R K RENV d Acre ILLE, S ETPLACE F age O IBLEY AND R McLEOD WRIG , MEE HT CO KE UNTIE R, S FREE • FRE E•F REE
Publi shed m Lead er an onthly b y d Litc hfield the Hutc hinso Inde n pend ent R eview FIN PERF D THE ECT H OME
TH PROP E LATEST ERTY LISTIN GS
Advertiser Meeker County
LITCHFIELD
Independent Review
A NE WG U EVER Y MO IDE NTH
Shopper
Your search for the perfect home begins and ends with the Real Estate Guide. Every month our Real Estate Guide delivers the latest property listings.
WEEKEND LEADER
Look for our monthly Real Estate Guide delivered to 17 different communities and 75 different locations. 12
XTREAM INTERNET PLANS STARTING AT
A MONTH FOR ONE YEAR
Plus activation, installation, modem rental, taxes & fees. NO CONTRACT REQUIRED. Price includes $10/mo discount for autopay & paperless billing.±
Fast download speeds from 100 Mbps up to 1 GIG† 99.99% network reliability^ Fiber-rich, 100% Gigabit Technology Network
866-609-6180 xtream.com
317 Hwy 7 E, Hutchinson
*Internet Offer: The advertised monthly price of $19.99 applies to Internet 100 and is for the promotional period stated. Thereafter the monthly price increases to the standard rate then in effect (currently, $29.99). Advertised price does not include standard installation fee ($109.99, more if special work needed); a one-time $10 activation fee; or other one-time fees that may apply because of options you select nor does it include the following recurring monthly charges: (i) modem fee, currently $13.00; (ii) taxes and other amounts required by law to be collected or paid; or (iii) fees for optional services or equipment you may want. All these monthly charges may increase from time to time. After the first year, if our standard rate for your service increases or we institute a new fee for service subscribers generally, we can pass that increase or new fee along to you. ±Autopay & Paperless Billing Discount Offer: Enrollment automatic payments and paperless billing is required.Your monthly service charge will be $10 more without enrollment. If at any time you cancel autopayment, the discount will be removed. †Internet Service Usage Allowances & Speeds: Internet service levels are subject to the following monthly total bandwidth usage allowances:Internet 100:200 GB; 1 GIG Internet:6,000 GB.Excess usage will be billed at $10 for every increment of up to 50 additional gigabytes used.For example, if usage exceeded the allowance by 51 gigabytes, the additional charge would be $20. Usage allowances and excess usage charges are subject to change at any time. See https://mediacomcable.com/ usageallowance for more information about usage allowances. Download and upload speeds may vary, see https://mediacomcable.com/openinternet for information on factors that could cause speeds to vary. ^ 99.99% Network Reliability: 2021 Mediacom Executive Summary Reliability Report. Offer Availability: Offer may change or be terminated any time without notice. Offer may not be available in all areas, cannot be combined with any other offer, is not transferable and is void where prohibited. Available only to prospective residential customers who have not received any Mediacom service within prior 90 days and meet applicable credit and other requirements. Customer must agree to all applicable subscriber terms and policies. See https://mediacomcable.com/legal/ for details. Other terms and conditions may apply. CA consumers: visit https://mediacomcable.com/legal/ccpa-privacy-notice/ to read our Privacy Notice for California Consumers. M741-42762 - Hutchinson Guide Print Ad Resize
13
Hints for Homeowners READYING A HOME FOR SALE
(MS)—When it comes to selling a home, curb appeal plays a big role. In real estate, it’s typical to ignore the old adage “Don’t judge a book by its cover” and keep driving if you see a home for sale that doesn’t instantly catch your eye. As important as curb appeal can be, it’s no more or less important than what’s on the inside of a home. After all, if what’s on the inside doesn’t match or exceed what’s on the outside, chances of a sale are slim. For those about to put their house on the market, consider the following tips for ensuring your home’s interior is as appealing as its exterior. • Store some furniture or bulky items: This is often referred to as “staging,” wherein a homeowner removes furniture or other items in an effort to make a home appear more spacious to prospective buyers. It’s perfectly legal and commonplace, particularly among sellers who have lived in a house for a long period of time and have years of clutter to account for. Store items with a nearby storage facility. As an added benefit, with some of the bulkier items now gone, it will be easier to clean the interior before each open house. • Consider repainting: Stronger colors might have appealed to you or your family over the years, but they might be too strong for prospective buyers. Though most buyers will simply repaint anyway, they might be more inclined to consider your house if the stronger colored walls are repainted with neutral colors, such as beige or white. Also, paint over walls where paint has
14
become stained or deteriorated. Not doing so will give the impression that the house was not well taken care of, a big red flag for buyers. • Remove keepsakes or knick knacks: Much like removing large furniture can make a family room or den seem larger, removing keepsakes and knickknacks from the foyer or kitchen can make those rooms appear more spacious as well. Since you’ll be moving out anyway, this isn’t a bad way to get a head start on packing • Clean out the garage: Garages were once primarily used to park cars. However, garages are also used for storage. A cluttered garage won’t help sell a house. An empty or clean garage, however, will appear very spacious and stick in a buyer’s mind. • Fix leaky faucets and showerheads: Leaky faucets and showerheads have a way of becoming unnoticeable background noise if you live in a home long enough. This makes them easy to ignore. However, to prospective buyers, such leaks and noises will be noticeable immediately. Fix all leaks before showing your house. • Replace old doorknobs and cabinet handles: Some things about a home tend to remain fixed in a buyer’s mind more than others. Old cabinet handles or doorknobs that stick might be nostalgic to a seller, but might mean something entirely different (namely, neglect) to a buyer. Do a run-through of all the little things and fix them up before showing your house.
CHECK THE CLASSIFIEDS!
SUBSCRIBE TO YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER AND READ IT THE WAY YOU PREFER — ONLINE OR ON PAPER!
TO SUBSCRIBE: 320-753-3657
HUTCHINSON LEADER 170 Shady Ridge Rd NW, Hutchinson 320-753-3635 • hutchinsonleader.com
LITCHFIELD INDEPENDENT REVIEW 217 N Sibley Ave, Litchfield 320-693-3266 • independentreview.net 15
“In-bank” Loans / Refinancing / Bridge Loans / Low & Zero Down Payment Options Construction / Second Homes / FHA Loans / Rural Development Loan / Remodeling
Buying or Building?
GET THE EXPERTISE YOU NEED AT OUR COMMUNITY BANK!
• Flexibility • Convenience • Array of options • Experience
When you want flexibility and creative loan options, come to us! Call Carol or Deb at our community bank for the expertise you need!
Carol Stark Deb Froemming NMLS# 646475
NMLS# 1126478
GOOD PEOPLE TO TURN TO
(320) 587 587-2233 2233 www.cbhutch.com bh t h Two locations in Hutchinson 16
Member FDIC NMLS# 646049